Surgery patients with appropriate hair removal

Preparing a patient for surgery may include removing body hair from skin in the area where the surgery will be performed. Shaving with a razor can increase the risk of infection; therefore, it is safer to use electric clippers or hair removal cream.

Why is it important?

Medical research has shown that shaving with a razor can increase the risk of infection.

The chart above indicates how often one of the safer methods was used (electric clippers or hair removal cream) for a pre-surgery patient. Higher percentages are better.